Large partisan divide on press freedom under Trump admin, Pew study finds

A new Pew Research Center report indicates a significant partisan divide regarding press freedom under the Trump administration. The study, based on surveys and focus groups conducted in March, May, and June, found that 44% of Americans believe the press became less free during President Trump’s second term, with only 12% believing it became more free. This sentiment was particularly strong among Democrats, with 72% stating the press was less free, compared to 15% of Republicans. President Trump frequently criticized news organizations, calling some the “enemy of the people” and dismissing unfavorable coverage as “fake news.” The survey also revealed that 60% of Americans believe the government should be able to require news organizations to remove stories threatening national security, while 51% supported removal of stories with false information. However, 77% opposed government-mandated removal of stories critical of the government. Additionally, 54% of Americans believe news organizations are greatly influenced by corporations, and 49% by government or political interests.